My darling cousin Susan Dollberg informed me she was having trouble with the IPSA link, so I think I fixed it. Thank you Cuz.
For those of you who are curious about Surrogate Partner Therapy, it’s the best website there is! Love~~ Cheryl www.surrogatetherapy.org
I just visited my last post and found the links can be opened without cutting and pasting.
How wonderful!
I love this!!!
Love~~~ Cheryl
Please go to the following websites. The first is an excellent interview with my friend Vena Blanchard, DHS. She is the President of the International Professional Surrogates Association, (IPSA). Vena gives a comprehensive description of Surrogate Partner Therapy and answer the most commonly asked questions about our work. The second link is the main link to IPSA.
http://www.sexuality.org/vena99.html
http://www.surrogatetherapy.org
I’m still need to learn how to make it so you can just click on the link. Please be patient with me and cut & paste until I get the hang of this.
Love~~~ Cheryl
I started blogging because I want to share information I’ve gathered during my 38years as a Surrogate Partner in Sex Therapy. What follows is my Bio and a short description of what it is that Surrogate Partners actually do. There are many misconceptions that I’d like to address.
If you have any comments and or questions I’ll try to respond to them.
Cheryl Cohen Greene, DHSCheryl has been in private clinical practice as a Surrogate Partner since 1973.
Since 1980, she has been a member of IPSA (the International Professional Surrogates Association) and she is now their Vice President. In 1993 she served as President of the San Francisco chapter of the Society of Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS). She was one of the founders of BASA (the Bay Area Surrogates Association) a support group for surrogate partners in the San Francisco Bay Area.
She works with therapists in her Surrogate Partner role and also coaches individuals, and couples in communication, relaxation and touching skills.
Quote:
“Apart from the humbling and amazingly rewarding experience of raising my wonderful children, nothing in my life has made me prouder than my work as a Surrogate Partner.
To guide and watch the transformation clients can experience, at such a core level, is one of my life’s greatest gifts.”
Currently I’m working on a book titled~~Hands On: A Sex Surrogate Reveals Her Secrets for a Lifetime of Great Sex. Love~~~ Cheryl
I’m sorry I never sent my last Updates. I was just too tired when I returned to my room the last few days of my HOLLYWOOD experience, so here is my summation.
Love~~~ Cheryl
By the way, I’ve been home for almost two weeks. It’s taken me this long to get my energy back due to sleep depravation. The motel I stayed in was centrally located on Main St. in Santa Monica, close to Ben & Judi Lewins’ home, (director/screenwriter) and 4 blocks from the beach. It was so well located lots of ” party hardy” people stay there, so getting a good nights sleep is nearly impossible. Adding to that was the need to get up at 5:00 AM to be at the” shoot” location by 7:00 AM. Mind you, I’m not complaining and I’d do it all over again. It was one of the most wonderful, excitingly interesting experience I’ve ever had, other than raising my kids.
Meeting so many actors I’ve seen in movies and on TV, not to mention the crew and different directors and producers. I even meet the former Congressman from New Hampshire, Paul Hodes and his wife Peggo. They are friends of Steve Nehmen the Founder and President of Rhino Films. Steve wanted them to meet me because of our shared New England accent etc… When they arrived onset Paul walked into the room wearing his blue Red Sox cap and I knew I’d like him. He and his wife are very nice people. She gave me her card so we can continue the conversation we were having.
It was difficult for me to leave, but I’m hoping I will see several of the actors and others I made connections with. There is going to be a “Wrap Party” at the very end of shooting. I was going to go back May 26th to be in the Funeral Scene as one of the Mourners but Helen Hunt got sick and the shooting schedule has changed. I won’t be in the scene because it’s being shot today, and the party probably won’t be held until June 10th or 11th. If it’s later in the month I won’t attend because I’ll be in N.H.. I’m not complaining! I’ve had a fabulous experience.
John Hawkes is a very impressive person, and so is Helen Hunt. I had my photo taken with Wm. H. Macy, but never had time with him the way I had with Helen and John. I hope to meet Rae Perlman, and several other actors I never got to meet, at the wrap party. That will depend on when it happens. I may be in New Hampshire celebrating my Dad’s 90th Birthday when they finally wrap it all up.
I hope to be able to keep in touch with John and his girlfriend Tecia. He gave me a copy of his bands album “King Straggler”. He wrote and sings on 4 tracks and plays guitar, keyboard, and whistles on others. I especially love “I Am a Good Man” and “Rebel”. I’m looking for the right dress to wear to the Academy Awards. One can dream!!!!
May 3, 2011
Hi All,
I was exhausted last night, so went to bed early, and finally slept 8 instead of 6 hrs. I’m feeling much more awake today.
Day 3~~ Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Sunday I received a call from Helen that she’d have time to meet with me tomorrow night around 8:00 to show her how I did Sensual Touch on Mark. Her partner Matthew volunteered to be my model. Sunday night I was told I wouldn’t be meeting John Hawks, whose playing Mark, until Wednesday, but as fate would have it, just before my dear friend Paulette was about to arrive for lunch, I got a call that John was close by at Ben’s home. He and Ben were going to have a short meeting, then John wanted to take me to lunch. My heart skipped a beat! Wow I was not only going to meet him, but we were going to go out to lunch alone! Nervous, you bet!!
I called Paulette, who had told me earlier that she wanted to have his children, what was happening. She understood, and suggested we meet later after my lunch with John.
I rushed over to Ben’s home, 4 blocks away, and there they were sitting on the porch. I reached out to shake his hand and decided to hug him instead. He gave me a warm hug in return. I told him I just had to do that because I enjoy his work soooo much. He looks much younger in person than he did in the movies and TV series (Deadwood) I’d seen him in. He said that’s probably because many of his characters carry emotional weight. I immediately thought, especially his character in Winter’s Bone.
Ben made some suggestions for where we might go for lunch, but I could tell John had another idea, so I asked if he had a place he enjoyed, and he did. I also told him I eat anything thats fresh and well seasoned.
We drove to a little “hole in the wall” Mexican restaurant that had delicious food. As we relaxed together we spoke about the movie, his role as Mark, our personal lives etc….He is someone I’d love to have as a friends. He’s in love, and has been in a relationship. for 3 years. I hope to meet her later in the week. She is the Script Supervisor on the movie.
After lunch we went back to my room where I showed him a beautiful card Mark sent me in May of 1986, a few months after we finished our last session. He was touched by what Mark wrote, and said this was the hardest role, that he’s ever played. He wants so much to do justice to Mark.
When he left he took my card so he can call me if he has anymore questions, and gave me a hug and kissed my cheek thanking me for being a person of “like mind”.
I’ll be going to the set to watch him this Wednesday.
I got together with Paulette and her friend from Belgium. We went back to the raw food restaurant where Helen and I ate Saturday. I love the food there and so did the ladies. A little name drop ~~~ Lisa Bonnet (sp?) ~~ (Cosby Show daughter and Lenny Kravitz’s X wife) was there reading a script. Beautiful!! I just smiled at her. No return smile, but that’s OK.
After lunch I went back to my room and waited to hear from Helen concerning what time we were going to meet later that evening.
She sent a cab to pick me up at 7:40 P.M., and I was taken to Brentwood to her amazing Spanish Style Home (Spanish as in Spain). It looked like it was built at the turn of the 20th century. Magnificent beamed ceilings, stone floors in the main hallways, wide plank wooden floors in rooms with comfortably inviting hairs and couches. What was once a dining room is a huge art room for her 6 soon to be 7 yr. old daughter. Helen says they spend lots of time there each day. Several rooms have lovely persian rugs. The whole interior has beautiful stucco walls and beamed ceilings, heavy wooden doors with rod iron fixturs and knobs. All the other furniture tables, bookcases etc. look to be from the same period as the house. I could live there quite happily.
We talked, then went into their bedroom where Matthew lay on the bed, on his back, and I explained how I touched Mark’s body, during our first session, while demonstrating on him. Ellen asked many questions that would be useful for her to understand what how to touch Mark’s unusual body.
During the experience Matthew suggested they have me come back and teach them more. YES!!!
We talked while I waited for the taxi to pick me up. When it arrived Ellen and I hugged good-by for awhile. I won’t be seeing her again until the “Wrap up Party” when the film is completed which could be as soon as the beginning of June. Matthew walked me out to the cab, thanked me again and gave me a big hug good-bye. They make a very attractive couple and share a beautiful daughter.
Earlier in the day John told me Ellen will be playing the lead in “Our Town”, by Thornten (sp?) Wilder, next January here in LA. She’s done it before, and did a fabulous job. He said it’s his favorite play, and he wants to see Helen’s performance. I mentioned it to her, and she encouraged me to come see it, so I’m going to with Bob. OK Bob?
Love ~~~~~ Cheryl
April 30, 2011
Day~~~1
You all know I’m in Santa Monica, but I love saying I’m in Hollywood!!! I’ve had a great first day considering I only go 2 hrs of sleep last night. I’m in a different room tonight so hopefully I’ll sleep better. I’m on Main St. in Santa Monica two blocks from the beach. It’s very nice here. The Motel could be a bit better, but it’ll do.
Helen Hunt bought me lunch today and we went over the script. She asked me to say her lines and recorded me. She’s thinking she may do my accent!
Going out to dinner with Ben, his wife Judi and the movies Cinematographer Jeff Simpson the. I like this movie business.
Love to you all ~~~Cheryl
Day 2~~~
I spoke with Helen this morning and made plans to meet with her tomorrow night. She will pick me up and take me to her home, so I can demonstrate how I do sensual touch. Her partner will be my model. I moved from the lovely suite I was in for just one night, and into a “standard room” with two full size beds. I have a table with two chairs and a nice cushioned seat to relax in. I went to a street market where I met up with Ben’s wife Judi and their two daughters Alex 24 (and her girlfriend Brit) and the second daughter Phobe, 11 who is an adorable “tom boy” skateboarder /surfer. We strolled around the wonderful market and bought juice and fruit.
I had lunch at a great family run restaurant ” Amelia’s” (she’s the mom who grew up in Haverhill MA.) we hit it off right away. Her husband and son also work there and have great personalities. From there I went to Ben and Judi’s and met up with the Cinematographer Jeff Simpson from Australia, and one of the movies financial backers, Siggie, who wanted to meet me. We all, including Siggie’s 5, yr. old daughter Isabella, went to the Los Angeles Modernism show at the Santa Monica Airport. We had fun, and later after leaving Ben and Judi’s home, I walked to the beautiful, and huge Santa Monica Beach and watched the sunset.
I got some news about more actors playing rolls in the film. Rea Perlman is playing the Micvah woman who guides me into the pool. Wm. H. Macy is now playing the priest Mark confides in. (not Peter Fonda, as I first thought). And the woman who played Calamity Jane in ‘Deadwood’ is playing Susan the woman who came into Mark’s life several yrs. after we had our sessions. I hope to meet Bill Macy on Friday and John Hawkes maybe tomorrow or Wednesday. It’s all very exciting and wonderful!
More to come~~~~~ Love~~~Cheryl
5/01/11
I’m in Santa Monica consulting on a movie about my former client and me. His name is Mark O’Brien. He was a poet and writer. He got Polio when he was 6 (1954). He spent the rest of his life in an iron lung. He contacted me in 1986. He wanted to explore his sexuality. Long story short, I saw him for 5 sessions. He wrote a story about seeing me which was published in The Sun Magazine titled “On Seeing A Sex Surrogate”. The story was discovered by Ben Lewin a director/screenwriter who lives here in Santa Monica. If you’re interested, you can look him up on Google. He’s made movies in Australia and the US. He’s also done episodes of many TV shows including Ally Mc Beal.
In 1995 Jessica Yu, a documentary film maker, made a documentary about Mark’s life called “Breathing Lessons” The life and work of Mark O’Brien”. It won the Academy Award for Best Short Documentary (35 min.). It’s quite amazing. Again if your interested in watching it for free, you can go to the following Link:
www.snagfilms.com/films/title/breathing_lessons/
My intention, when seeing Mark, was to help him learn more about what he could physically feel. He was a quadriplegic, but as I discovered he was able to feel sensations all over his body. Truthfully, I had doubts about whether or not he would ever be able to transfer, what we did, to a future relationship, because of the extent of his disability. But, as life has often shown me, nothing is impossible! 6 yrs. later he met a lovely woman, Susan, who is also a poet and writer. They became friends/ lovers and created “The Lemonade Factory” which published their work and others.
Mark became seriously ill with Post Polio Syndrome in 1995 and it slowly inhibited his ability to be taken out of his iron lung, and hastened his death in 1999.
I was so pleased he lived long enough to have a love in his life, and be recognized for the amazingly brave, and talented person he was.
Ben Lewin, the director / screenwriter, also had polio when he was 6, but a much less sever version. Although, he wears a heavy metal brace on his left leg which inhibits his movements, he too is an amazingly talented person who has a wonderful wife Judi and 3 children. He found Mark’s story about working with me online and was so touched by it that he bought the rights to it then went on a search to find me. We met 4 years ago. He told me he couldn’t write the screenplay until he met the other main character (me). We talked for many hours in which I told him my experience of my sessions with Mark. When he left he said he’d send me the finished screenplay which took him over 2 years. From that point he started getting people to finance the film, and Rino Films Founder and President, Steve Nieman to make it.
The next step was to find actors who would work for much less money than they were use to receive, with the promise of a percentage of the movie, should it be a success. These are the major actors he got:
Helen Hunt plays me, John Hawkes (Deadwood, The Perfect Storm, Winter’s Bone (for which he was nominated for an Academy Award last year) etc…., William H. Macy (Fargo, Wild Hogs, Shamless etc.), Reah Perlman,(Cheers,TheChristmasChoir, Love Comes Lately),Moon Bloodgood,(Terminator Salvation, Journeyman,etc..),Paul Schulze,(the Sopranos, Nurse Jackie, etc…), Rusty Schwimmer (The Perfect Storm, The Hawk is Dying, etc… and soon to appear on Louie KC), Robin Weigert, (Calamity Jane on Deadwood, Into the Wild,The Good German, etc…), W. Earl Brown,(Dan Dority on Deadwood, Bloodworth, etc….), Annika Marks, ( Mona Lisa Smile, Secret Identity, etc…) A truly amazing cast!
I’m writing all of this to keep you all informed about my fantastically, unbelievable and totally unexpected adventure.
LOVE~~~~Cheryl
I just set up my Tumbler page and I can’t wait to start posting my exciting experience of being involved with the making of a new movie called “The Surrogate”. What follows is an explination of that experience and the Updates I sent to family and friends and I now want to share them with you!
